French far-right figure faces potential ban from next presidential race
Legal case from last year threatens to block **Marine Le Pen** from running in future elections. Paris court heard demands for strict penalties over alleged EU funds mis-use in decade-old investigation
About a year ago a high-stakes legal case against Marine Le Pen and her associates started in Paris: the prosecutor wanted tough penalties for EU money mis-use
The court heard demands for a 5-year prison term‚ 300‚000-euro fine and (most important) a ban from public office for the far-right leader. This case which started way-back in 2013 could affect her chances to run in the up-coming 2027 presidential vote
The prosecution targeted Le Pen‚ her party (known back then as National Front) and 24 other people for using EU parliament money to pay staff who worked for the party instead. The whole thing includes party workers former lawmakers and parliamentary assistants
I note that the prosecution is being extremely outrageous in its demands particularly with the request for provisional execution which it wants to impose on everyone being prosecuted
Patrick Maisonneuve - the EU parliaments lawyer said he wasnt surprised by these demands and saw them as consistent. The trial lasted till end of nov-2023; its outcome could shape Frances political landscape for years to come
